Many drivers assume that traffic cameras will have recorded their accidents, but in South Carolina, these cameras typically do not capture or store crash footage. Fortunately, even if no camera caught your crash, there are often other sources of video evidence that can help document what happened. At Harbin & Burnett in Anderson, SC, we help clients identify and preserve this crucial footage to support their personal injury claims.
Why State Highway Cameras Often Don’t Help
SCDOT operates the 511 traffic system, which provides live traffic updates but does not record incidents for later review. Relying solely on state highway footage is a common misconception. Even if a camera was nearby, it likely never saved your accident to a retrievable file.
Municipal Cameras Have Short Windows
In Anderson and throughout South Carolina, most traffic cameras do not record or store footage. These cameras are designed for real-time traffic monitoring and cannot provide video of past accidents. Relying on traffic cameras for evidence after a crash is almost always ineffective.
Alternative Sources of Video Evidence
Even when traffic cameras don’t capture your crash, there are several other potential sources of video:
- Nearby businesses: Gas stations, convenience stores, restaurants, and banks often have surveillance cameras facing streets and parking lots.
- Residential cameras: Doorbell cameras like Ring, Nest, or Arlo can capture street-level activity and passing vehicles.
- Schools, churches, and parking lots: Footage from these areas may show vehicles approaching or leaving the scene.
- Transit and municipal cameras: Public transit stops, city cameras, and parking enforcement cams can provide useful footage.
When requesting footage, approach the property owner politely and explain why you need to preserve it. Maintaining a chain of custody for video is critical for later use in legal cases.
Using FOIA to Access Government Records
For public cameras, FOIA (Freedom of Information Act) requests can help secure footage:
- City or county FOIA portals allow you to request access to municipal camera records.
- State FOIA requests to SCDOT or the South Carolina Department of Public Safety (SCDPS) can also yield traffic-related video.
Submitting these requests quickly is essential since many agencies overwrite footage on a tight schedule.
Bonus Evidence: Beyond Cameras
Even if no camera captures your crash, other evidence can corroborate your timeline:
- Vehicle Event Data Recorders (EDRs or “black boxes”) record braking, acceleration, and impact data.
- Dashcams may capture the crash or the moments leading up to it.
- Telematics apps like Life360 or insurance tracking devices can provide timestamps and location data.
- Phone photos and Live Photos taken near the scene can support your account.
These sources, combined with any available video, can strengthen your personal injury claim.
Preserve Evidence Quickly
To maximize your chance of obtaining video evidence:
- Act immediately – Contact businesses and municipal authorities to preserve footage.
- Document requests – Record who you spoke with, when, and what was requested.
- File FOIA requests promptly – City, county, and state agencies often overwrite video quickly.
- Secure personal logs – Save dashcam recordings, phone videos, and telematics data.
Bringing all evidence to a consultation allows attorneys to evaluate whether a product liability or personal injury case exists.
Harbin & Burnett: Your Advocates After a Car Accident
Even if “no camera caught your crash,” there are often multiple ways to document what happened. Acting quickly is critical. Call us today at 864.964.0333 for a free case evaluation and take the first step in protecting your rights.